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I used to think that the Devil Rays represented the expansion bridge to far. But they are the only team that is ritually abused by the Phillies. Thanks for Bobby Abreu for Kevin Stocker, and the bag of balls for Reggie Taylor roll real nice. Taylor was a first round tools goof pick, position player out of high school in Chicago, iirc.

That's what "designated for assignment" means. If Phelps clears waivers, he can be released or sent to the minors; if he doesn't, the D-Rays can work out a trade or let him be claimed.

This is indefensible, and I have to think that none of this would have happened if Rocco Baldelli hadn't been injured in the offseason. Most of the moves since have been in an effort to find someone who can give passable offense and defense in CF, without requiring a move of Carl Crawford there full-time until Baldelli returns. Why the Rays have been obsessed with CF is beyond me.

Most of the moves since have been in an effort to find someone who can give passable offense and defense in CF, without requiring a move of Carl Crawford there full-time until Baldelli returns.

The real issue with all of it is the fact that Piniella refuses to use Crawford as the regular center fielder, because he feels he won't be able to concentrate on his hitting as much. Stupid reason, but that's Piniella.

There's more to this move than there seems. When it was announced some of us speculated that it could be a precursor to Jonny Gomes coming up to be the regular DH (replacing Phelps). Since Lou loves versatile, crappy players (and Gomes is poor defensively), Taylor has more use on the team than Phelps in interleague play and once they go back to the DH Gomes could be called up.

According to a couple people today with sources in the organization, that's exactly what will happen. Unfortunately, one person who tends to have accurate souces said that it could be Damon Hollins that's DFA'd for Gomes and that Gomes will only be up until Rocco returns. Obviously, that would be horribly stupid.

Someone asked about Gathright, he's currently on the DL. Haven't heard what's wrong with him though.

"The real issue with all of it is the fact that Piniella refuses to use Crawford as the regular center fielder, because he feels he won't be able to concentrate on his hitting as much."

I thought it was because if he put Crawford out there, everyone would see how much better he was then Baldelli. And then there would be issues when Baldelli came back. At least, that's the only way I could justify it.

{Chuck Lamar is his best Sean Connery accent}: Piniella. I've got lunatics laughing at me. My original plan has been scuppered now that Baldelli is hurt. My communications are completely broken down. Do you really believe any of that can be helped by a cup of tea?

That's what "designated for assignment" means. If Phelps clears waivers, he can be released or sent to the minors; if he doesn't, the D-Rays can work out a trade or let him be claimed."

Not really. DFA means the team gets 10 days to choose whether to option him (and thus place him on waivers), release him outright, or put him back on the roster. There's a (slight) possibility that they actually put Phelps back on the roster once interleague is done, but I think it's more likely that Taylor gets waived at the end of interleague to make room for Jonny Gomes.

Not really. DFA means the team gets 10 days to choose whether to option him (and thus place him on waivers),

I was under the impression that waivers had to be part and parcel of the 10 days?

I.e., I think it takes 3 days for a player to go through the waiver process, so for a team to try to try to slip someone like Phelps through, by the 7th day after DFA -- they have to be placed on waivers. Otherwise - the 10 DFA days are up, and some action has to take place (release, trade, or re-add).